Tag: MLB betting odds lines picks best bets

Tampa Bay Rays at Miami Marlins odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Tampa Bay Rays at Miami Marlins odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Tampa Bay Rays (2-0) and Miami Marlins (0-2) play the final game of a three-game set Saturday at 6:10 p.m. ET at loanDepot park. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rays vs. Marlins odds with MLB picks and predictions.

LHP Rich Hill is the projected starting pitcher for the Rays. He was 2-2 with a 3.03 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 7.2 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 in 38 2/3 IP over eight starts in 2020. Hill was solid in his two starts on the road in 2020, going 0-1 with a 1.50 ERA and .171 opponent batting average across 12 innings.

RHP Elieser Hernandez is the projected starting pitcher for the Marlins. He was 1-0 with a 3.16 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 11.9 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 in 25 2/3 IP over six starts in 2020. Hernandez was sharp in two home assignments in 2020, allowing just one earned run, five hits and one walk with 11 strikeouts across seven innings with no homers allowed.

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Rays at Marlins odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 4:32 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Rays -130 (bet $130 to win $100) | Marlins +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Rays -1.5 (+125) | Marlins +1.5 (-155)
  • Over/Under: 7.5 (O: -115 | U: +105)

Prediction

Rays 3, Marlins 2

Money line (ML)

The RAYS (-130) are a nice value behind the veteran Hill as they look to go a perfect 3-for-3 on the road against the Marlins to open the season.

Tampa Bay has won 19 of its past 26 trips to Miami, and it’s 35-16 in the previous 51 meetings overall against its Sunshine State rivals. Keep fading the Marlins until they start ticking off wins against the Rays.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

The MARLINS +1.5 (-155) dropped the opener 1-0 and fell by a 6-4 score in the second outing. They have been getting great pitching so far. It’s just the offense hasn’t been able to start fast. Look for Miami to be able to keep it close again.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 7.5 (+105) is the lean here. The Under cashed in the opener, while the Over cashed Friday as the bullpens folded after another well-pitched game early.

In fact, bet the UNDER 4 (+100) on the 1ST 5 INNINGS line for a good wager. We have had zero total runs in each of the first two games in the first five innings in this series.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Saturday’s Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Cleveland Indians (0-1) continue their road series with the Detroit Tigers (1-0) Saturday at 1:10 p.m. ET at Comerica Field. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Indians vs. Tigers odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Zach Plesac is the projected starting pitcher for the Indians. He was 4-2 with a 2.28 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 9.3 K/9 and 1.0 BB/9 in 55 1/3 IP over eight starts in 2020. Plesac allowed just five hits and a walk over 7 2/3 scoreless innings with a career-high tying 11 strikeouts in a 1-0 win in Detroit Sept. 18, 2020.

RHP Julio Teheran is the projected starter for the Tigers. He was 0-4 with a 10.05 ERA, 1.76 WHIP, 5.7 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9 in 31 1/3 IP over nine starts and one relief appearance in 2020 with the Los Angeles Angels. He hasn’t faced the Indians since April 20, 2019 when he was a member of the Atlanta Braves. He allowed five earned runs, seven hits and four walks in 4 2/3 innings in a loss that day at Progressive Field in Cleveland.

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Indians at Tigers odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 3:44 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Indians -175 (bet $175 to win $100) | Tigers +145 (bet $100 to win $145)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Indians -1.5 (-105) | Tigers +1.5 (-115)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Prediction

Indians 4, Tigers 2

Money line (ML)

The INDIANS (-175) struggled with the bats in the opener Thursday, failing to score until the ninth inning in a 3-2 loss. They’re still 45-11 across their past 56 games against the Tigers and 36-16 in the past 52 at Comerica Park. Look for Cleveland to bounce back after Thursday’s disappointing offensive showing.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

The INDIANS -1.5 (-105) are worth a small-unit play at near even money. Cleveland struck for a two-run homer in the ninth in the opener, and that was it. It might take a series of singles and walks as the wind will be blowing in, but the Indians should be able to generate a little more offense against Teheran. He was absolutely horrendous in 2020 for the Angels in his first season in the American League.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 8.5 (-105) is the best play on the board Saturday, perhaps in all of baseball. Neither of these offenses looked very special on Opening Day, and that was with a stiff wind blowing out. On Saturday we’ll get a stiff 13-15 mph wind blowing into the face of the batters from right field, knocking down any fly balls.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s Arizona Diamondbacks at San Diego Padres odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Arizona Diamondbacks (0-1) play the San Diego Padres (1-0) Friday at 10:10 p.m. ET at Petco Park. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Diamondbacks vs. Padres odds with MLB picks and predictions.

The Diamondbacks climbed back from five runs down to take the lead in the top of the 5th in Thursday’s season-opener but San Diego scored once in the 6th and again in the 7th to win Game 1 of the series 8-7.

Season series: Padres 1-0.

RHP Merrill Kelly starts Friday for the Diamondbacks. Kelly was 3-2 with a 2.59 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, 8.3 K/9 and 1.4 BB/9 over 31 1/3 IP spanning 5 starts in 2020.

  • 2020 vs. Padres: 2-0 with a 0.71 ERA (12 2/3 IP, 1 ER, 11 K, 2 BB) in 2 starts.
  • 2021 Spring Training: 0-2 with a 5.30 ERA (18 2/3 IP, 11 ER, 17 K, 6 BB) in 5 starts.

LHP Blake Snell makes his Padres debut tonight after spending the first five seasons of his career with the Tampa Bay Rays. He won the AL Cy Young in 2018 while winning 21 games.

Snell was 4-2 last year with a 3.24 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 11.3 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in 50 IP across 11 starts.

  • 2021 Spring Training: 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA (14 1/3 IP, 13 K, 4 BB) across 5 starts.

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Diamondbacks at Padres odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 3:35 p.m. ET.

  • Money line: Diamondbacks +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Padres -225 (bet $225 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Diamondbacks +1.5 (-115) | Padres -1.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under: 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Prediction

Diamondbacks 4, Padres 2

Money line (ML)

PASS with a “LEAN” toward the Diamondbacks (+180) because Kelly has been fantastic in his two years in MLB against the Padres and there’s a lot more value in the underdog than the favorite.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

BET DIAMONDBACKS +1.5 (-115) for a half-unit because each of their previous three games against the Padres were decided by only one run and Arizona is 4-1 ATS vs. San Diego in the last five meetings.

Also, this is a “Pros vs. Joes” game in the betting market; according to Pregame.com, more than 70% of the money is on Arizona’s run line while 88% of the tickets are on San Diego’s run line.

Typically, the money column is considered the “sharp” side of the market so my preference is to follow the money and fade the crowd of people.

Over/Under (O/U)

TAKE UNDER 8 (-105) for a half-unit because while Kelly has been awesome against San Diego, the Diamondbacks hitters were terrible against left-handed pitching last season.

Arizona was bottom-5 in the Majors in 2020 vs. left-handed pitching in wRC+, wOBA, ISO, and strikeouts per walk rate.

Snell is a legit Ace in the prime of his career, motivated after last year’s World Series loss and had a dominant Spring Training. Kelly is also 4-1 with a 1.59 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 28 1/3 innings pitched in his last five starts against San Diego.

Finally, the Diamondbacks and Padres played to the Under in seven of their last 10 meetings, which makes UNDER 7.5 (+110) on the alternate total intriguing.

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Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles Angels odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles Angels odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Chicago White Sox (0-1) and Los Angeles Angels (1-0) meet in the second game of their four-game set Friday evening at 9:38 p.m. ET at Angel Stadium. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the White Sox vs. Angels odds with MLB picks and predictions.

LHP Dallas Keuchel is the projected starter for the White Sox. He was 6-2 with a fantastic 1.99 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP, 6.0 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 63 1/3 IP over 11 starts last season. He did a great job of limiting hard contact, but was also pretty lucky, with a .255 BABIP and a 5% home run per fly ball rate. He has posted a 3.26 ERA and 6.4 K/9 in 12 starts at Angel Stadium.

LHP Andrew Heaney is the projected starting pitcher for the Angels. He made 12 starts in 2020 and went 4-3 with a 4.46 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 9.5 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 66 2/3 IP. In five starts at Angel Stadium, he put up a 2.81 ERA and 10.1 K/9, bringing his career marks at the venue to 3.84 and 9.1, respectively.

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White Sox at Angels odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: White Sox +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Angels -130 (bet $130 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: White Sox +1.5 (-185) | Angels -1.5 (+150)
  • Over/Under: 8.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Prediction

White Sox 5, Angels 4

Money line (ML)

Even without OF Eloy Jimenez (pectoral) in the lineup, the White Sox have plenty of bats that can do damage. They led the league in 2020 with a 142 wRC+ and .238 ISO vs left-handed pitching, while ranking 2nd in OPS.

Given Heaney’s fly ball lean and history of being prone to the long ball (career 1.5 HR/9), the WHITE SOX (+105) are a good bet to come out on top in this one.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

This sets up to be a close game involving two pretty evenly matched starting pitchers.

Laying nearly 2 to 1 odds to get +1.5 runs with the White Sox doesn’t seem like a wise play; however, flipping to WHITE SOX -1.5 (+165) on the alternate line looks more appealing. It wouldn’t be surprising for them to touch up Heaney for a couple of home runs.

Over/Under (O/U)

Both pitchers in this matchup are solid, though neither really profiles as a front-line starter. The Over is 12-4-3 in the White Sox’s last 19 road games against a left-handed starter and 3-1-1 in the Angels’ previous five contests against a lefty.

The offenses should be able to push enough runs across for the OVER 8.5 (-110) to cash again.

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Tampa Bay Rays at Miami Marlins odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s Tampa Bay Rays at Miami Marlins odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Tampa Bay Rays (1-0) continue their season-opening series against the  Miami Marlins (0-1) Friday at 7:10 p.m. ET at loanDepot park. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Rays vs. Marlins odds with MLB picks and predictions.

LHP Ryan Yarbrough is the projected starting pitcher for the Rays. In 2020, Yarbrough went 1-4 with a 3.56 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 7.1 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 over 55 2/3 IP and 11 appearances. The Rays lefty is an elite soft-contact inducer (hard contact allowed in 2020 was 25%). In 39 career road games (in a difficult road division), Yarbrough has held opposing bats to a .635 OPS.

RHP Pablo Lopez gets the nod for the Marlins. A year ago he went 6-4 with a 3.61 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 9.3 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in 57 1/3 IP over 11 starts. In games not on Sept. 9, Lopez logged a 2.54 ERA (he was tagged for seven runs in 1 2/3 frames that day against the Atlanta Braves). The now-25-year-old logged two starts against the Rays in 2020, one good (2 runs) and one bad (5 runs).

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Rays at Marlins odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:25 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Rays -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Marlins -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Rays -1.5 (+145) |  Marlins +1.5 (-175)
  • Over/Under: 7.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Prediction

Marlins 4, Rays 3

Money line (ML)

The Rays topped the Marlins 1-0 in Thursday’s lid-lifter. Tampa Bay leaned a bit more into its best bullpen options to seal the win.

Miami was a much stronger club against lefty pitching in 2020, carding a .775 OPS (.673 vs. right-handed pitching). Lopez is a strong breakout candidate for 2021, and these prices should be flipped.

Take the MARLINS (-105).

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

A contrarian run-line play fading a top-notch club is an angle with some merit. It may be worth holding out for a better price here, but MIAMI +1.5 (-175) makes for a decent play.

Consider the run line as undercard action with the above ML wager on top.

Over/Under (O/U)

A contrarian Over 7.5 (-110) lean after a 1-0 opener is squelched by the pitching matchup and the pitcher-friendly yard.

PASS.

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Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Friday’s Los Angeles Dodgers at Colorado Rockies odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (0-1) and Colorado Rockies (1-0) play Game 2 Friday of a season-opening, four-game set at Coors Field. First pitch is slated for 8:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Dodgers vs. Rockies odds with MLB picks and predictions.

The Rockies, who were +195 underdogs, took the opener 8-5 Thursday, beating Dodgers ace LHP Clayton Kershaw. Colorado 2B Chris Owings, who went 3-for-3, broke a 4-4 tie with an RBI single in the sixth.

RHP Trevor Bauer, who signed a three-year, $102 million free-agent deal in the offseason, is scheduled to make his Dodgers debut. He won the 2020 NL Cy Young Award after going 5-4 with a 1.73 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 12.3 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 in 73 IP across 11 starts for the Cincinnati Reds.

  • 2020 vs. Rockies: No appearances
  • Career vs. Rockies: 0-1, 3.86 ERA (16 1/3 IP, 7 ER) in 3 starts, last facing Colorado in 2017

RHP Antonio Senzatela is the Rockies’ projected starter. He went 5-3 with a 3.44 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 5.0 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in 73 1/3 IP over 12 starts last year.

  • 2020 vs. Dodgers: 1-1, 4.76 ERA (17 IP, 9 ER) in 3 starts
  • Career vs. Dodgers: 3-3, 5.74 ERA (42 1/3 IP, 27 ER) in 10 appearances, including 8 starts

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Dodgers at Rockies odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 7:25 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Dodgers -275 (bet $275 to win $100) | Rockies +220 (bet $100 to win $220)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Dodgers -2.5 (-130) | Rockies +2.5 (+105)
  • Over/Under: 12 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Prediction

Dodgers 7, Rockies 3

Money line (ML)

PASS. Bauer will be just what the doctor ordered for the Dodgers after Thursday’s loss, but the ML price of -275 is too chalky.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

PASS. Just like Thursday, BetMGM likes the Dodgers so much that they’re favored by 2.5 runs. I won’t lay that many runs.

While the juice is a bit steep, I’ll bet whatever it takes to WIN 0.75 UNITS on the alternate line of LOS ANGELES -1.5 (-185). In this case, a $138.75 wager profits $75 if the Dodgers win by 2 or more runs.

Bauer is a stud, and the Dodgers have owned the Rockies the past two seasons, going 22-7 against their NL West rivals.

Over/Under (O/U)

The UNDER 12 (-110) is the way to go. Bauer is an Under pitcher. The right-hander posted a 2-10 O/U record in 2020 (11 regular-season starts and one playoff outing).

Plus, the Rockies were 13-14-3 O/U at Coors Field last season, including a 1-2-1 O/U showing in four games against the Dodgers.

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JOHNNY PARLAY’S RECORD W-L SP ROI
2021 MLB 0-2 0-1 -2.775
2020 MLB 80-59-1 39-21 +24.79
2021 record (all sports) 98-86-1 48-41 +8.925
*–SP: Strongest plays; ROI: Return on investment

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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San Francisco Giants at Seattle Mariners odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s San Francisco Giants at Seattle Mariners odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The San Francisco Giants and Seattle Mariners open their respective 2021 MLB seasons in a Thursday night game at 10:10 p.m. ET at T-Mobile Park. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Giants vs. Mariners odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Kevin Gausman is the projected starting pitcher for the Giants. A year ago, the veteran right-hander went 3-3 with a 3.62 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 11.92 K/9 and 2.41 BB/9 over 59 2/3 IP spanning 12 appearances. Albeit in a shortened season, Gausman enjoyed a skills-breakout year in many respects.  He does, however, have a history of being a slow starter out of the gate with a .801 OPS allowed with lesser command in the first half.

LHP Marco Gonzales is the projected starter for the Mariners. His 2020 line included a 7-2 record with a 3.10 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 8.27 K/9 and 0.90 BB/9 over 69 2/3 IP in 11 starts. The 29-year-old southpaw owns a career 3.69 ERA at Seattle’s home park.

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Giants at Mariners odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 10:20 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Giants -105 (bet $105 to win $100) | Mariners -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Giants -1.5 (+145) |  Mariners +1.5 (-175)
  • Over/Under: 8 (O: -115 | U: -105)

Prediction

Giants 5, Mariners 4

Money line (ML)

Gonzales was buoyed by a .263 opponent batting average on balls in play last season. Look for regression in those numbers in 2021. The Giants figure to be at their best against lefty pitching.

Peg the visitors as worthy of being about a 10-to-15-cent favorite. There is value in SAN FRANCISCO (-105).

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

PASS.

The Giants are a solid play as a side and the run line here has added juice.

Over/Under (O/U)

The Giants have more of an offensive attack than one might think. Their .785 OPS ranked sixth in the league last summer.

In terms of expected fielding-independent ERA (xFIP), both clubs ranked in MLB’s bottom-5 a year ago. Peg Gonzales as being severely overrated by his 2020 surface ERA.

It all adds up to value on the OVER 8 (-115).

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s Pittsburgh Pirates at Chicago Cubs odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Pittsburgh Pirates meet the Chicago Cubs in their 2021 season opener Thursday at 2:20 p.m. ET at Wrigley Field. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Pirates vs. Cubs odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Chad Kuhl is the projected starter pitcher for the Pirates. He was 2-3 with a 4.27 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 8.55 K/9 and 5.44 BB/9 over 46 1/3 IP across nine starts and two relief appearances in 2020. Last season, Kuhl went 1-0 with a 2.92 ERA and .217 opponent batting average across 12 1/3 innings in two starts and one relief appearance against the Cubs.

RHP Kyle Hendricks is the projected starter pitcher for the Pirates. He was 6-5 with a 2.88 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 7.08 K/9 and 0.89 BB/9 over 81 1/3 IP spanning 12 starts in 2020. He was 1-1 against the Pirates but posted a stellar 1.98 ERA with 9 strikeouts across 13 2/3 innings in his two starts last season.

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Pirates at Cubs odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:55 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Pirates +185 (bet $100 to win $185) | Cubs -200 (bet $200 to win $100)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Pirates +1.5 (-115) | Cubs -1.5 (-105)
  • Over/Under: 7 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Prediction

Cubs 4, Pirates 2

Money line (ML)

The Cubs (-200) are a little too rich for my liking, especially in an opener, as I would like to get a little sample size first.

Yes, there is a pitching disparity here, and Chicago is on its home field, but I’ll look to the spread instead.

PASS.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

Playing the CUBS -1.5 (-105) is a much better value. Hendricks is a polished pitcher who should be able to have his way with the young Pirates. In three home games last season, Chicago swept Pittsburgh while outscoring them 12-7, for a margin of 1.67 runs per game.

The Cubs are 79-64-2 all-time Opening Day, good for a .552 winning percentage. That’s fifth-best among all active franchises.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 7 (-110) is the lean here. There will be a cold north wind blowing from 14-16 mph, knocking down balls that would normally be ticketed for the left-field bleachers. Look for more singles than home runs in the Friendly Confines Thursday.

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Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles Angels odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s Chicago White Sox at Los Angeles Angels odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The Chicago White Sox meet the Los Angeles Angels in their 2021 season opener Thursday at 10:05 p.m. ET at Angel Stadium. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the White Sox vs. Angels odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Lucas Giolito is the projected starter for the White Sox. He was 4-3 with a 3.48 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 12.07 K/9 and 3.48 BB/9 over 72 1/3 IP and 12 starts in 2020. Giolito was impressive on the road in 2020, going 2-0 with a 2.79 ERA with 43 strikeouts across 29 innings over five starts. This will be his first start against the Angels since a 7-inning no-decision and quality start Sept. 6, 2019, in Chicago.

RHP Dylan Bundy is the projected starting pitcher for the Angels. He was 6-3 with a 3.29 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 9.87 K/9 and 2.33 BB/9 in 65 2/3 IP over 11 starts in 2020. Bundy will be facing the White Sox for the first time since May 24, 2018, when he was a member of the Baltimore Orioles. He had a complete game with 3 runs, 2 hits and a walk allowed while striking out a career-high 14 batters.

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White Sox at Angels odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:40 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: White Sox -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Angels +105 (bet $100 to win $105)
  • Against the spread/ATS: White Sox -1.5 (+135) | Angels +1.5 (-160)
  • Over/Under: 8 (O: -110 | U: -110)

Prediction

White Sox 4, Angels 3

Money line (ML)

The WHITE SOX (-115) begin the new season with a ton of hope, as they made some nice additions to the lineup to rocket to the top of the list as favorites in the AL Central.

This will be a tight game, with two solid pitchers, and is perhaps the most underrated of the entire Opening Day slate.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

I don’t play run lines very often, but the ANGELS +1.5 (-160) are worth a small-unit play as underdogs.

Bundy did a good job last season, as he finally is pitching for a decent team after years of struggling with the cellar-dwelling O’s. He gets the nod on Opening Day, and he will keep the Halos within hailing distance of the favored White Sox.

Over/Under (O/U)

UNDER 8 (-110) is worth a look with Giolito and Bundy likely exchanging low numbers in what should be a well-pitched affair.

The ChiSox closed on a 5-0 run in Giolito’s final five regular-season starts of 2020, and he’ll pick up right where he left off.

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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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New York Mets at Washington Nationals odds, picks and prediction

Analyzing Thursday’s New York Mets at Washington Nationals odds and lines, with MLB picks and predictions.

The New York Mets visit the Washington Nationals Thursday for a 7:09 p.m. ET first pitch at Nationals Park. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook‘s lines around the Mets vs. Nationals odds with MLB picks and predictions.

RHP Jacob deGrom is the projected starting pitcher for the Mets. A year ago, deGrom went 4-2 with a 2.38 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 13.76 K/9 and 2.38 BB/9 in 68 IP over 12 starts. In his last five season debuts, the Mets ace has allowed just 2 earned runs over 28 2/3 IP for a 0.63 ERA.

RHP Max Scherzer is scheduled to get the ball for the Nationals. In 2020 he went 5-4 with a 3.74 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 12.30 K/9 and 3.07 BB/9 over 67 1/3 IP spanning a dozen starts. Scherzer has scuffled against lefty bats the last couple seasons (.861 OPS allowed in 2020), and that could present a problem against a Mets nine that can lean that way with strength. The 36-year-old right-hander was managing an ankle sprain in spring training.

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Mets at Nationals odds, lines, picks and prediction

MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full list. Odds last updated at 9:05 a.m. ET.

  • Money line: Mets -160 (bet $150 to win $150) | Nationals +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
  • Against the spread/ATS: Mets -1.5 (+115) |  Nationals +1.5 (-140)
  • Over/Under: 7 (O: +105 | U: -130)

Prediction

Mets 5, Nationals 3

Money line (ML)

New York batters have gotten to Scherzer for a .775 OPS in past meetings and the Mets are a lean Thursday but not at this price. PASS.

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Run line/Against the spread (ATS)

The run line here is worth a look as a partial-unit play. A deGrom opening start, and the Mets likely having the better bullpen of the two clubs makes for a sliver of value on NEW YORK -1.5 (+115).

Over/Under (O/U)

The Over hit in four of the last five meetings between these two clubs last season. The forecasted wind and weather (temperature in the 40s, wind in from left field) and the reputation of the starters has this total down at a level 7. There is value in wagering for a game flow that gets to 8 or more combined runs.

The starters are tremendous, but a maybe-injured Scherzer of 2021 is not the same as vintage Scherzer. Both bullpens were bottom-10 groups a year ago. Figure on a third of this game being played against those hurlers and with revamped offenses that are certainly dangerous in spots.

BACK THE OVER 7 (+105).

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Bet on this game now at BetMGM Sportsbook. For more sports betting picks and tips, visit SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.

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